Program will help women enter nontraditional careers

Montana State University-Northern is launching a new program to encourage women to enter nontraditional careers.

The program will encourage women to enter courses leading to occupations that have traditionally had few women, such as plumbing or electrical work, said Cristina Estrada-Underwood, director of Northern’s Office of Diversity and Multicultural Programs.

Even though there are women in the law enforcement program at Northern, she said. “There is always room for improvement.”

The program got the final go-ahead last week when the university received word that a $5,000 grant had been approved from the Women’s Foundation of Montana.

The funding will enable Estrada-Underwood to begin work with other departments in attracting students looking for nontraditional careers, she said.

The program is open to recent high school graduates and older women who are unemployed or are in low-paying jobs.

One aspect of the program is find mentors for the women entering the program, Estrada-Underwood said

“For instance, we would find a woman plumber to work with someone wanting to become a plumber,” she said.

Many women may not know any other women who are plumbers, she said.

“This program is part of Chancellor (Greg) Kegel’s effort to attract new students,” Estrada-Underwood said.